Chapter 322 - The Pieces Making their Moves

Kirihara Takuto’s message was like this.

□

I have defeated the Great Demon Emperor.

And with my new skill, I have acquired the power to subdue Golden-eyed monsters.

The servants of the Great Demon Emperor, both the Demons and the Monsters, are now my subordinates.

No, even the Human-Faceds are now under my control.

Currently, I am taking in the monsters of the Demon Zone as my servants into my army as I push through the Demon Zone, aiming at the Mira Empire, which foolishly started a war.

To show my royal authority, I decided to destroy Mira first.

However, I am not without mercy.

If the following conditions are met, I will accept a total surrender and allow your country to be placed under this Kirihara’s rule.

The first is that the Fly King of the Fly King Squadron, which Mira had welcomed, be taken into custody and handed over to me.

He must be completely apprehended.

The other is for Seras Ashrain to admit her mistake, completely separate with the Fly King Squadron and swear eternal allegiance to me.

This is but a simple task.

It’s all about returning something to its true owner.

Just a matter of getting a sword back into its original sheath……

As long as I can’t confirm that the above conditions have been met, I will have no choice but to continue the invasion of Mira by my army, led by the Human-Faceds.

As a matter of course, I will establish a deadline.

You must not make the great mistake of thinking that a King will wait forever.

As long as it is one I agree with, I have decided to allow the handover to take place at any place that you designate.

As tolerant as I may be, I’m afraid that I may be too tolerant.

I would dare to know what would happen if you refuse, but such a foolish thought shouldn’t even cross your mind.

If you break one’s promise and try to outsmart me, all of your people will know what this Kirihara truly is like.

The only thing that lies beyond thoughtless foolishness is unparalleled regret.

If you don’t want to regret

If you find your lives valuable

If you want to be saved

You have no choice but to abide by this perfect royal decree, which is nothing but a mass of tolerance and concession.

I am now, in fact, equal to a God.

I am unlike a fake like that Fly King.

Which one is superior between us…… is a matter that goes without saying.

I don’t deem you acceptable.

Your unworthiness is intolerable.

Its meaning…… Those who comprehend it will know.

You.

Listen well.

I’m going to correct this world.

I’m going to make everything right.

—————————————King of the New North, Kirihara Takuto

▽

I was now in one of the rooms where military meetings were held.

Seras and Munin are seated on both of my sides.

Across the table, on the opposite side of the room, sits the Mad Emperor.

Seated on both of his sides were Wright and Kaiser.

Putting down the letter on the table, the Mad Emperor asked.

[What do you think?]

[I confess…… I actually know the matters in the Demon Zone through a special long-distance exchange with people related to the Faraway Country. Please think of it as something like a special magical war pigeon. As for the other person’s identity and means to contact them, that is something we can’t reveal. After all, if a person is revealed to have such an ability, that person will be in danger. However…… She can pass on information they had acquired to me, like information about this matter.]

Sprinkling some fake information here and there, I revealed information about Erika and her familiars.

Considering the possibility that Vysis may have spies placed here, the information about the “Witch of Taboos” should be kept in the dark.

At my words, the Mad Emperor looked at me with questioning eyes.

[In other words……]

[Yes, the great movements of the horde of Golden-eyed monsters, including Human-Faceds———— It has been confirmed to be true.]

Thereupon, Kaiser turns his sharp gaze on me.

[Are they still going to Mira?]

[Yes. Judging from the course of their movements, that was indeed the case.]

[Moreover, from what I heard, they’re from the Deep Northern Demon Zone……]

[Yes. According to what I have heard from the people of the Faraway Country who are familiar with the Demon Zone, the Northern Demon Zone is the area where the most dangerous Golden-eyed Monsters dwell.]

“Your Majesty”, Wright calmly called out.

[Is it safe to assume that the Great Demon Emperor was defeated by this Takuto Kirihara?]

[There’s still a possibility that Ayaka Sogou defeated them. However, from the report of the date of her departure from Alion with the Goddess…… At the moment, it does indicate that it was done by Kirihara.]

I also agree.

[In the current situation, I also think so.]

……Kirihara was the one who defeated the Great Demon Emperor huh.

Kaiser groaned, seemingly pondering about something.

[The power to subjugate Golden-eyed monsters…… From the Fly King’s words, it seems we have no choice but to believe this exists. For a Hero from Another World to have acquired the power to subjugate Golden-eyed monsters……]

[I have heard from Kobato Kashima about Takuto Kiriharara’s outward appearance. According to the report of my aforementioned informant, his characteristics match those of the person who is believed to be the manipulator of the monsters witnessed in the Demon Zone. We are almost certain that it is Kirihara.]

[……To start things up, this man…… doesn’t seem to be sane.]

Wright said with a sigh.

[I could feel hints here and there, especially in the latter half of his letter…… It’s just incoherent. I don’t understand what he’s talking about…… I also couldn’t comprehend why he calls himself the “King of the New North”…… How do I describe this…… It’s like, I could feel how this Takuto Kirihara is a monomaniac, so much so that his mind deviates from reason.]

Kirihara Takuto.

Thinking about him, I recall the memory back when I was about to be disposed of.

No, going back further……

Back in the bus on our school excursion.

Going back even further, to when most of my time was spent at school……

I have a feeling that there’s something different from the Kirihara Takuto I know.

Did something happen to him, just like the case with Yasu Tomohiro?

Upon our arrival in this world———– Something in him was broken.

Or perhaps, was he just like me?

In which something innate in him has been pulled out.

At that moment, Kaiser asked.

[In any case, your Majesty, Golden-eyed monsters from the Demon Zone are heading towards our Mira…… What should we do?]

With his elbow on the table, the Mad Emperor brushes his hands through the hair at his temples to the side.

[……It’s true that it became easier to fight the newly created Golden-eyed monsters because the influence of the Tyrant’s Miasma around the Golden-eyed Monsters created by the Great Demon Emperor disappeared. However, the Human-Faceds remain a threat. The damage caused by their attack on the Imperial Capital the other day in the battle against Urza in the east where Neia and Bakuos appeared…… If the army of monsters over there converges with the monsters from the Demon Zone———– It will be a rough battle, don’t you think?]

Thereupon, the Mad Emperor glanced at me and Seras.

[If we present the two of them…… We can prevent that huh. However————]

Propping his chin on his hand somewhat shamelessly……

[I have no intention of accepting these conditions.]

Wright nods with a smile.

[Even if we were to accept Kirihara’s conditions, give up everything, and put up with whatever happens under Kirihara…… the future of our country would still be bleak as long as the Goddess is still alive and well.]

[I believe the Fly King is now an indispensable force against the Goddess…… Besides, if we make a stopgap sacrifice here, we will lose our alliance with the Faraway Country.]

“However……”, Kaiser folded his arms.

[How would we respond on this matter then? At the moment, Mira can’t afford to take on Kirihara and his army of monsters. Even if we had to use the “Reserved Corps” that we finally assembled in the Imperial Capital, I don’t think we can defend against them……]

Reserve Corps.

In fact, Mira has Demi-Humans living in hiding in the Western part of the city.

I remember hearing a long time ago that Mira and Jonato are tolerant of Demi-Humans.

Most of the Demi-Humans are hiding in the Faraway Country.

As for the elves, most of them are said to be holed up behind a ward called Great Illusion.

However, there are those who remained in the outside world, like the Speed Tribe made up of Leopardkin.

But when we had just arrived, we hadn’t seen any Demi-Humans in the Imperial Capital.

I also haven’t seen any even within the territories of Mira we’ve come across on our path.

Jonato accepts Demi-Humans, as long as they become a member of the Holy Extermination Force.

It’s said that if they become a member of that army, they will be treated accordingly.

However, I heard that there aren’t that many Demi-Humans over there.

And there, there’s Mira.

Mira is protecting the Demi-Humans by providing them a hiding place.

This policy of theirs may have been intended to attract the Forbidden Race to their country.

Incidentally, they seem to be treated well, and are enjoying a fairly good life.

And then————

One of the conditions presented to them when they were taken into Mira’s custody was that they must join the Reserved Corps.

When a decisive battle comes, the Reserve Corps will be called in.

What is perhaps unique to Mira’s case was that they have the right to veto the call to arms.

If the applicant has a justifiable excuse, they are exempted from participating in the Reserve Corps.

However……

“If Mira is destroyed, won’t we be next?”

Was it perhaps they were thinking that way……

Or perhaps, is it because they have heard about the country’s alliance with the Faraway Country.

Either way, most of those who can fight have agreed to join this gathering.

Just as how Jonato had their hidden trump card called Sacred Cavalry.

Mira also had such a hidden trump card.

Indeed, after we’d spent time here in Mira, we were beginning to see more and more Demi-Humans around the city.

However……

[Indeed…… I think it would be impossible for the Reserve Corps to deal with Kirihara’s army.]

[Kirihara, who has the ability to manipulate the monster army———-]

As I began to speak, the attention of the three brothers immediately focused on me.

[————–If I kill him, I think we can stop all the Golden-eyed monsters heading towards Mira…… or so, I was thinking.]

After a little while……

The Mad Emperor lets out a sigh.

[……I’m sorry for making you say it.]

[Please don’t worry about it.]

Yes.

He doesn’t really need such considerations.

[Can you do it?]

[It’s because you thought it would be difficult for anyone but me to do it, that you were going to ask me to do it, right, your Majesty?]

[……Yeah.]

Besides……

This seems like a matter I should deal with myself.

The reason———- Well, it’s the target of Kirihara Takuto’s hatred.

First of all, the target of his hatred doesn’t seem to be the “Mad Emperor”, but the “Fly King”.

Now then……

I wonder why is it that his hatred is directed at the Fly King?

I mean, the target that should be restrained that he’s demanding to be presented to him isn’t the Mad Emperor.

For some reason, the target became the Fly King.

Moreover, although he says he’s going to invade Mira, there’s no mention of the Mad Emperor at all in his message.

The only individuals mentioned are the Fly King and Seras Ashrain.

In other words———— Kirihara has some sort of attachment to these two people.

If that’s the case……

“I won’t forgive you.”

The “you” in this sentence may not have been referring to the Mad Emperor, but the Fly King.

Then, what was it that Kirihara “won’t forgive” the Fly King about?

What is that “he deems not acceptable”?

Was it because the Fly King is well known in the world?

Thereupon, my gaze moves slightly to my side.

Perhaps, was it because Kirihara desired her————

[ ? ]

It’s because Seras Ashrain is on my side huh.

……So that’s why he’s saying he won’t forgive me.

From that message of his……

“The current me deserves to acquire everything in existence”.

Such muddled thoughts seemed to exude from his words.

[………………..]

It may now feel cliche and stale now……

But back in my previous world, there was this terminology called “esteem needs”.

Desire to be approved by others.

Desire to be recognized.

Desire to acquire others’ attention.

Desire to be recognized for the person they’ve become.

“I, who defeated the Great Demon Emperor, am more amazing than anyone else.

Mimori Touka, a mob, has always been hidden from the sight of others.

The King of Flies, who had been sneaking around under a false identity……

You may say that whether it’s Mimori Touka or Fly King———— Takuto Kirihara is the exact opposite of them.

He’s a monster with a desire for approval.

[………………..]

Good grief.

Without having Seras stand by his side……

He can’t even realize his own worth huh.

Happiness or sorrow.

Judgment of value.

Winning or losing.

……Everything is either one or the other.

If worse comes to worst, he will corrode people’s psyche——— and eventually, kill them.

I spoke.

[Having defeated the Great Demon Emperor, and then, obtaining an ability to subjugate the Golden-eyed monsters, Kirihara currently may be feeling omnipotent.]

One thing that concerns me here is the movements of that sh*tty Goddess.

Vysis hadn’t taken care of Kirihara.

Is Kirihara stronger than Vysis now?

Unexpectedly, is Vysis having a hard time against him?

With all these information I’ve got———— I can’t see any of it mentioning the latest actions of that sh*tty Goddess.

The existence of Vysis doing something in the background should always be kept in the corner of one’s mind.

There’s no way that she wouldn’t make any moves while Kirihara’s rampaging here.

Or perhaps……

Is there a reason why she was just letting Kirihara run amok?

I continued.

[Takuto Kirihara wants Seras Ashrain. In his mind———— He thinks that he, who saved the world, has the right to “own” the most beautiful woman in the world. And he doesn’t like that the Fly King “owns” Seras…… In other words, this trouble is happening because I am in this country. In that case, I should be responsible for stopping him.]

[That’s not quite right, Fly King.]

At my words, the Mad Emperor spoke.

[You’re responsible for this? I won’t allow you and Seras to talk like you are the cause of this. It was I who made the decision to bring you to my side. Please stop talking nonsense.]

[Of course, I knew your Majesty would say such a thing.]

[Hmmph…… ————What a hateful man.]

……Heh.

So the Mad Emperor also makes a face like that huh.

I saw something interesting.

[Even for me, I wouldn’t want Mira to sink before the actual battle against the Goddess. Mira’s forces are necessary to oppose Alion led by the Goddess.]

Most of all……

As long as Kirihara hates Fly King, if left unattended, there’s a high possibility that he will interrupt in the battle against the Goddess.

Such a dangerous uncertainty should be crushed as soon as possible.

Wright nodded.

[I see…… If the Fly King can do something about Kirihara and his army…… We will go East as planned———–]

Bang!

The double door of the room was vigorously flung open.

[Sorry, but we will be intruding.]

The man who opened the door was Hausen Diaz.

The Head of Diaz Family, one of the three Elected Imperial Households.

He was that old man who claimed to be quite handsome when he was young.

And one of the messengers came in beside him, looking like he was about to trip on his path.

The Mad Emperor asked.

[You were told you weren’t allowed to enter until a signal…… but something important happened that you wanted to report, even if you had to ask Hausen Diaz for help in entering the room huh———– What happened?]

As the messenger’s shoulders heaved up and down……

[T- The army has been defeated!]

[The Army in the east? If so…… We must get there as soon as possible. So, how far has the army———-]

[The enemy army has crossed Mira’s borders!]

At those words, Kaiser reflexively stood up in his seat.

[What in the world!? The army got pushed back all the way over here!?]

Wright’s eyebrows are tightly furrowed as well.

He doesn’t look like his usual gentle self.

[I don’t think just the addition of Queen Cattleya and the Black Dragon Knights would make such a thing occur……]

[If that’s the case———–]

[It’s a Hero…… Ayaka Sogou!]

She actually came out?

In this war against humans?

That Sogou Ayaka did?

She is one factor I hadn’t been certain about.

However, it seems like that was what she decided huh.

I looked at the Mad Emperor, and he also took a glance my way.

[Is it just Ayaka Sogou?]

[A- At the moment, we have only confirmed one Hero! And in addition to the Generals, Chester-sama has been taken prisoner!]

For a moment, silence fell in the room.

As if time had stopped, a pause occurred……

[The Commander-in-chief of Mira’s Eastern Battlefront————— has been taken prisoner!?]

Kaiser said, as if he had heard a bad joke.

I had heard about Mira’s army in the east in advance.

The Commander-in-chief of the army in the east is Chester Ord.

He is the next head of the Ord Family, one of the three Elected Imperial Households.

He is renowned for his skill in warfare and is said to be an outstanding warrior……

[The state of war…… I- It has drastically changed with the entry of Ayaka Sogou!]

Kaiser slammed his hands on the table……

[Nonsense! Putting aside if it was the Great Demon Emperor or the Goddess, or even Civit Gartland…… A single Hero influencing the state of war all on her own is————–]

At that moment, the words Kaiser was about to say got stuck in his throat.

I suppose it’s no wonder, for just a moment ago, we were just talking about a Hero who was leading an army of monsters.

[Kuh…… So these are S-Rank Heroes huh.]

The report caused even more uproar.

Kaiser was in a dumbfounded state.

[S- She’s fighting…… in a way that keeps the number of deaths as low as possible, you say? The commanding officers were taken prisoner one after another…… The soldiers were urged to retreat, and those who were captured were released…… but the captured soldiers who still resisted to the end were kept as prisoners of war by Urza……? W- What stupidity is this…… We’re in the middle of a war……]

Thereupon, seemingly as if he remembered something, the messenger kneels down and responds in a trembling voice.

[Most of the knights…… were either stunned by the knights who seemed to be strange magic creatures…… o- or neutralized by the interference of those knights……]

The messenger then spoke of the eerily low death rate of the war.

The reason for the extremely low death rate on both sides……

The primary factor was apparently a mysterious army of silver.

Silver huh……

That color does remind me of Sogou Ayaka’s Unique Skill.

It’s just……

According to the information I know, she had no such Skill that could create an army.

Her Skill had evolved huh.

Bowing his head, the messenger put his trembling fists to the floor……

[I- If the battlefield continues to be disturbed like this…… I don’t think there would be any fighting occurring anymore…… the overall morale is visibly declining day by day……. That Hero…… I don’t feel like our side can defeat her, but I don’t feel any murderous intent from her either———— I- In addition! It seems like she’s even apologizing for her actions! Moreover, the enemy’s mixed forces have clearly seen a marked difference in their overall movements now that Cattleya Stramius has come out! The Black Dragon Knights’ use of their black dragons was also nothing short of brilliant———- It’s just, as expected———– That Ayaka Sogou! Just her…… It’s just her————]

Raising his head, he declared.

[It’s like she’s the second coming of Civit Gartland…… or perhaps, she could even become better than him! She’s just absurd! She comes alone, makes her silver army appear…… and then rushes in a straight line toward the commanding officers!]

At those words, Wright asked.

[Earlier, you said she was taking one prisoner after another…… Were the commanding officers not killed too?]

[A- As of the moment, we received no reports of them getting killed…… not even one. Ah, no…… As reported, there were of course casualties during the battle but…… ummm…… It seems that no one has seen Ayaka Sogou directly kill an enemy……]

Wright pondered for a moment, his gaze kept on the messenger……

[That Silver Hero…… Have no measures been made against her?]

[……No one…… among us can stop her. No matter which General it was…… No matter how many numbers were against her. She wasn’t affected even by traps. How should I say this…… According to someone from the Brilliant Squadron, rather than it being the Hero’s special power…… It’s like…… She’s a human born to fight……]

I know it’s a little too late now, but a question arose in my mind.

Sogou Ayaka’s strength……

Does it only take into account her power as a Hero?

Or perhaps……

President herself had something that she originally has————

The messenger lowered his head again, seemingly revealing his emotions.

[I’m embarrassed to say this…… b- but I felt horrified! That perhaps, t- they’ve worked out some sort of plan…… That perhaps, this matter I myself am reporting is n- no longer realistic……]

Seemingly having thought of something, the Mad Emperor asked.

[That silver army…… is that different from the white army from back then?]

To this question, Hausen replies.

[From what I’ve just heard, this silver army appears to be different from the white folks from the other day. They don’t have golden eyes, and it doesn’t seem to be doing that creepy intertwining hand movements when it dies……]

Hausen reported more of its features.

After he sorted through the information, the Mad Emperor grunted.

[If it gets too far away from Ayaka Sogou, it won’t be able to keep its original form huh. This certainly is unlike the white ones. The White Army back then was able to operate in a fairly large area even away from its supposed master, the Exiled Emperor. The fact that their area of activity is confined is a good point for us. On the other hand though, compared to the White Army back then, these knights she summons seem to be difficult opponents to kill or neutralize. Moreover…… Even if you do fight them, they seem to be more formidable than the White Army the other day huh. In other words……]

I don’t know what he inwardly feels like.

However, the Mad Emperor continued with a calm voice.

[In the Eastern battlefield, if Ayaka Sogou———– this S-Rank Hero isn’t neutralized, the light of victory can’t be seen huh. I suppose this would be…… the right moment for them to show up.]

Solemnly leaning back on his throne, the Mad Emperor declared.

[Summon Asagi Ikusaba here in the meeting room.]